Stroller shopping is tough

bracystake

My husband and I are struggling with selecting the right kind of stroller and car seat.  We are adamant about getting something small.  We cannot stand the giant systems with 2-14 cup holders and all the gadgets and things the kid won't even care about.  We want something small, convenient and easy to transport.  Where we're having a hard time is dealing with the fact that our baby is due around Thanksgiving.  Having a winter baby in MN means we aren't likely going to get a lot of use out of a big stroller.  Should we opt for the small Graco black cart with a drop in newborn seat and then purchase something later this spring?  Is it more cost effective to get the system now?  Anyone have a winter baby on the way that might have some insight on this?  I'm clueless.

ilovebijou

I don't know much about which system would work best for you but have you thought about buying a second hand one on craigslist ? I check the site almost everyday and see tons on there. Maybe you could get a second hand one to use if needed over the winter and then buy something you really want once it warms up? Our baby is due in Feb and I'm not sure what we are going to do yet either.

MrsAshley16

I'm not sure exactly what you are looking for, but we have this one:

https://www.target.com/Baby-Trend-Travel-System-Mesa/dp/B0019ICD0M/qid=1250093077/ref=br_1_4/182-8051370-0406424?ie=UTF8&node=3579971&frombrowse=1&index=tgt-mf-mv&rank=price&rh=&page=1

I love it! It's VERY lightweight, it's very portable (stroller fits in my trunk perfectly) and I've never had any problems with it. Olivia is 7 months, and is a BIG girl (86% weight and height), and still fits in the infant car seat perfectly fine, so we haven't had to buy a convertable one yet.

And, she's a January baby, and has gotten plenty of use out of the stroller, and like I said, still uses the car seat. She's now able to sit in the stroller just fine, and it's a good size so when we're at the zoo/shoping, etc, everything fits in the bottom fine. Yesterday was my first Target trip in months that I actually used a cart (because we did massive grocery shopping)...I was just putting everything in the bottom since she couldn't sit in the cart.

stayawaketill311

https://tinyurl.com/obzsue

This is the stroller we bought. I like that it's lightweight and easy to move around. Even though you are having a winter baby, I think it is still a good idea to buy or register for your stroller that way you have one and you don't have to wasted money but buying the small black cart and a stroller. We didn't get the bucket style car seat but pretty much any stroller is going to let you attatch the car seat. Ours does even though we don't need it.

otc

Strollers sale will be around in January as the new models come out.  Also watch www.albeebaby.com, they always have great sales.  For 50$, the ones that your carseat snaps in are wonderful.  I know many moms that have them and they are wonderful, light and convenient.  Since you only need to carry the carseat for a short time, it's wonderful.  And make sure you get one that can hold one as you'll have so much more freedom than waking up a sleeping baby to get them into one of the lightweigth but doesn't accept a carseat stroller.

I LOVE having cupholders and a tray holder for my DS.  Makes things so much easier for outtings.  I have one that's removable.  You may want to reconsider that you feel like you don't want one. 

My model is no longer available, otherwise I'd tell you about it:)

otc

That is make sure your stroller can hold your carseat as you don't want to wake a sleeping newborn to put them into the stroller. 

Payne2B2008

I know the feeling The best advise I got about strollers is this: Start out with a Click & Go to start with then once baby gets here you will know what you really need the stroller for. I did buy the Click&Go used and we leave it in DH truck. I was blessed with the stroller I had been wanting as a gift & I am so glad I did as I can't live with out it. As far as car seat we want with the SafeSeat 32 (Graco) True it is very big but knowning my son would be long I want for something he would be in for a longer time. We don't use the base in my car (I have a tiny car) but we do use the base in DH truck. Come winter we will just leave the carseat in my car becsue he will be to big to car it around.  Below are the links to stroller we have.

Feel free to ask me any other questions I love talking about my stroller It is very light & easy fold (True one hand fold, I can hold Aiden at the same time)

https://babyjogger.com/city_mini_lp.aspx

mrs.mkd

I agree with the Snap N Go to start out with. Although I LOVE my Chicco travel system, I would totally go a different route if I could do it over. With a Snap N Go you can choose any type of infant carrier that snaps into it and then use that for when baby is tiny and sleeping etc. You can take it anywhere except "off-roading" and it works great from what I hear.

Then, when baby outgrows the infant car seat, or sooner if you want, you can get a jogger stroller or different type, whatever you want. You'll need to get a new carseat at that time too, so buying the stroller used would save $$.

Also - not sure if you're planning to wear baby, but this has been huge for us, and many times we opt to not use the stroller at all.

k11karen

We have a full size big Gracco. I'm not even sure they still make what we have. But, I am so glad we went with the big stroller. I think we use it way more tahn I ever would have guessed we would. I would say the one really important thing about your stroller, is to make sure you are able to test it out. How does it push? Big wheels push much easier. (put something in the stroller, box of diapers or something, to see what it feels like when you are pushing around your baby.) When we had DS #2, we got a sit and stand so both boys could be in the stroller if needed. I find this stroller harder to push even when only DS #2 is in it. The stroller itself is lighter weight, but not made as well. The trays and attachments may not seem important now, but they will be in the long run. We recently used the Gracco for DS #2 at a picnic. Turned into his high chair while we were eating.

bracystake

Lots of helpful advice!  Thank you, ladies.  While it's a lot to digest you've been most helpful.